#MMLovesFashion: 10 Outfits You Will Definitely Need In College

So you're a Modern Magnolia heading to college. Yay!! The most exciting four years of your life are about to start. Packing for that teeny, tiny closet is stressing you out and don't know where to begin? No worries! We've got you covered with a list of 10 outfits that you will definitely need in college! (All images via Pinterest)

White Dress

 

• Chapter meetings, gameday, church, sorority initiation, Carolina Cup- the list goes on and on. You will wear/need a white sundress at some point. Put it in your closet now! You'll need this at the last minute and none of the stores will be carrying them because it will be after Labor Day...

Little Black Dress

• Like I said in my first post, EVERY GIRL NEEDS A LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Never know when you need to step it up and get a little fancy!

Going Out

• Whether you are going out to dinner or to a fraternity party, you want to look good doing it. When you go to a party in college for the first time, you will see a wide variety of outfits. A night out is the chance to get a little more sassy, without being too.. well, slutty. Everyone else might be wearing the tightest skirt they could find, but Modern Magnolias always keep it classy. This isn't me telling you to dress like a nun, but leave a little bit to the imagination. Wear a fun, flirty dress or a cute sheer top (wear a little something under it--bandeau/tank, NOT JUST YOUR BRA PLEASE) and jeans! Pair either of these options with some cute heels, depending on where you are going. If you are going to a fraternity party, I guarantee some cute sandals are a better option!

Going To Class

• There will be days (lots of them) that you will roll out of bed and go to class wearing heaven only knows after pulling an all-nighter. (It happens to the best of us y'all.) But for the days you want to look put together because of that cutie in your chemistry class, you'll want some outfit options. You don't want to look like you are trying too hard, and let's face it, you want to be comfortable when you are in class adding pins to your wedding board typing really good notes. Wear some cute shorts (think J.Crew or Lilly Pulitzer) with some comfy sandals for walking around campus. In the winter some jeans and an oversized sweater with a pair of cowboy boots will keep you looking cute while being comfortable as well!
  

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Workout Gear

• No reason you can't look good while keeping that freshman 15 off! Stock up on some running shorts and some fun tennis shoes! You won't only wear your workout gear to the gym, you'll end up wearing it to class or to study on those days you don't feel like dressing up. Spice up your active wear with some neon tennis shoes!

Casual Weekend

• Modern Magnolias always want to look cute and put together, whether you're running errands, going to lunch with a friend or shopping on the weekends. A maxi dress is perfect for casual weekend wear! I'm so obsessed with the maxi trend right now and can't think of a better way to be comfy and cute! Clearly, we all know that a maxi dress is just the baggy version of yoga pants...

Theme Outfit

• If you choose to join a sorority, get ready to spend ungodly amounts of money on ridiculous thrift store finds for whatever theme mixer or crush party you go to once a week month. Want to make your life easier? Go ahead and have an 80s outfit, a camouflage outfit and an American theme outfit packed and ready to go. Whether you are in a sorority or not, I promise you will be asked to go to one of these to theme parties at some point (probably more than once), trust me. For the 80s outfit: leggings, giant off the shoulder white t-shirt, bright tennis shoes, obnoxious neon 80s windbreaker (go to your local thrift shop now). America theme: jorts, cowboy boots, red/white/blue bandana, and a fun patriotic tank (hint hint: check out @FutureFirstLady's "Red, White, and Better Than You" tanks! You can also find some fun options at skreened.com or even at Wal-Mart or Target!). Bonus: If you have random costumes/theme outfits you used in high school, bring them with you. ALL OF THEM.

"Business casual" -(hate this term)

• Inevitably you will be asked to give a presentation at some point in your freshman year. You'll ask what you should wear and your professor will say " dress business casual." Ya'll, I hate this term. Like, do you want me to dress business or casual? Pick one. But anyway, here's my suggestion: wear a dress or skirt. Make sure the hemline is an appropriate length (not too short y'all) and it's not too tight. Wear a cute top- no cleavage and stay away from sheer unless you're wearing a tank underneath. Pair this with a simple cardigan and flats and you're ready to go! Don't be afraid to play with patterns but stay away from super distracting/noisy jewelry. I love a good statement necklace but you want everyone focused on you!
  
  This option also doubles as Formal Chapter attire for you future sorority girls! But on the plus side, you can definitely add the statement necklace!! 

Rainy Weather Outfit

• It will rain. You will have to go to class regardless. Invest in a rain jacket, a good pair of rain boots and an umbrella. And don't think you have to be drab just because the weather is. Get some fun rain gear! I've had a Lilly Pulitzer umbrella that has lasted me for years and I am obsessed with Hunter rain boots! 

Gameday

• If you don't already love gameday in the South, after going to college, you will. The Modern Magnolia loves an excuse to buy a new outfit (or ten) and there is no better excuse than football games! Does anything say, "True Fan" like a new sundress that perfectly matches your school's colors? I didn't think so. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and get a couple of outfit options over the summer! Whether you wear a dress, skirt or shorts, you don't want to be running around at the last minute looking for something to wear. My suggestion: anywhere you go: LOOK FOR YOUR SCHOOL'S COLORS. I have always had lots of luck at J.Crew! Judith March usually has great options made specifically for football season, and in most school's colors. Also, check boutiques near your school, they are usually the best places to find the perfect gameday dress!

So this isn't a specific outfit, but y'all need to invest in some cowboy boots if you haven't already! YOU WILL WEAR THEM EVERYWHERE!!!
 

 

Hope these are helpful for all of you Modern Magnolias heading off to school. And you college and post-college Magnolias, comment/tweet us and tell us which outfits on our list are must haves and which ones we may have left off!

Stay southern y'all!
-Mary Lauren